The idea that I can approach my interactions involving other people fair mindedly becomes more challenging when put in the context of real life. If we have a contemplative setting where both minds are at peace, responses can be well measured and deliberate. However, as one wends his way on a dark highway in a treacherous storm while foolishly trying to talk to a loved one in deep crisis about the right path, right words can hardly be found. No doubt practice makes perfect, but the environment of practice hardly resembles the imperfect situations we find ourselves in, let alone the asymmetric and mottled souls we encounter, flee, or create. With this in mind, what aspect of your experience should you incorporate into “a short sentence to silently reminds you to approach situations with an unbiased attitude”? Rather than Dyer’s rhyming “Guide or help me right now, Tao”, I prefer “Guide me to a future, without suture”. Preventing judgement from surfacing, in the present, is certainly worthy. Anticipating and reckoning with the tomorrow’s approaching turgid tides involving others deserves honorable mention.

The deluge will return. It resides behind the stack of concrete slabs, piled along the banks of the stream along ago. Though she does haunt me, and yes, I know I can’t defeat her, I must prepare for the losing battle that one day shall occur. Fill a sand bag, carry to the front line, lay in place, repeat. The important lesson here being that life’s deluge repeats and reforms. One must know this, adapt to its latest incarnation and persist in dealing with the forces that must be dealt with, cannot be resisted and will eternally occur. There can be no judgement as to the intruder’s intention or the defender’s performance. But it must be accepted that a threat is in motion and a response must arise. Watch the power as it shapes and directs. Let it go by. Cut your losses. Preparation for battle must include an escape route. Valiant resistance must recognize that fighting for another day postpones defeat.

I desire to be a part of something, but I care not to be favored within that
something. My level of knowledge, maturity, genuine beliefs and thoughtful, substantive
conclusions deserve fair consideration even though they differ from leadership
or accepted thinking. I wish not to be
favored over another because of artificial valuations but rather to be valued
for my gratitude, contribution, and commitment. My importance should be for
those intangibles which can be built on and trusted not the whim of personal
prejudice or immediate gain. However, I wish to be excluded if what I honestly
bring forth falls in disfavor to the fluctuating pursuits of an immature spirit
in a yet unformed character.

When desperate, the best thing to do is do better. Don’t give up to helplessness. Don’t succumb to selfish grifting. Try harder. Sacrifice. Endure. See hope in the future. There are people and situations which can help you escape your misery. Find them. You’ll find the worst first. Then you’ll find that the best are flawed. But most likely your escape is the escape you fashion from the pieces of a past that you broke. Pick up the parts that will serve you. Abandon those which cut your hands and break your heart. The puzzle parts are all there for you to put together into a new beginning. At some point you must stop looking back. Look down. Look up. Look sideways. Move forward but protect and defend what is precious to you at all costs.